From August 2025 you can apply as a domestic student for entry to Adelaide University in 2026.
Applications for 2026 will be via SATAC for most undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs. A direct application process will be available for 100% online degrees at a later date. In the meantime, you could start your degree at UniSA or the University of Adelaide and continue at Adelaide University.
Why Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours)?
When it comes to air and space travel, aerospace engineers are experts in redefining what’s possible. It could be developing faster, more fuel-efficient airplanes – or launching advanced rovers to explore other planets. Perhaps it’s prototyping the world’s first urban flying taxi service. In a range of fields, aerospace engineers are seeking innovative new solutions.
Fascinated by flight and the vehicles that make it possible? Have a fundamental interest in understanding how things work? Enjoy wrestling with complex design problems? Then our Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) majoring in Aerospace Engineering is for you.
This deeply practical degree will ensure you graduate with the expertise and experience to thrive in your engineering career.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) majoring in Aerospace Engineering provides a strong foundation in the knowledge, principles, technical and professional skills essential to mechanical engineering.
You’ll study core courses covering the essentials of mechanical design: solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, dynamics, vibration, control, and thermodynamics.
The aerospace engineering major helps broaden your expertise with specialised courses covering aeronautical engineering, space vehicle design, aerospace structures and more. You’ll gain essential knowledge and skills in designing, testing, and maintaining a variety of aircraft, spacecraft, satellite, and associated technologies.
You’ll also have multiple opportunities throughout your studies to put your learning into practice. These include practical workshops, design-and-build projects and up to 450 hours of industry placement to develop and refine your technical and professional skillset.
All of these experiences combine to provide the knowledge, technical and professional skills you’ll need to become a qualified and proficient mechanical engineer.
Key features
Gain a solid grounding in core mechanical engineering knowledge and skills.- Take courses in aeronautical engineering, aerospace vehicle design, astrodynamics and more.
- Get hands-on with countless design-and-build projects.
- Complete a major honours research project and industry-focused design project in your final year.
- Apply your skills on real industry projects, with up to 12 weeks of professional work experience.
What you'll learn
Your first year provides a comprehensive introduction to general engineering principles and skills. This ensures that, whatever your prior educational experiences, you’ll have the foundation knowledge to succeed in your engineering studies at Adelaide University.
From second year onwards, you’ll begin taking aerospace engineering-focused courses, in areas such as:
- Control systems
- Advanced fluid mechanics
- Advanced materials and mechanics
- Aeronautical engineering
- Aerospace propulsion
- Aerospace vehicle design
- Astrodynamics
- Instrumentation and digital systems.
Our programs are strongly hands-on to ensure you graduate career ready. You’ll complete:
- Professional practice topics including design-and-build group projects, where you’ll work with your peers to solve complicated problems.
- Up to 450 hours of industry work experience under the supervision of a qualified engineer.
- A major industry research project.
Majors
The Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) is also available with majors in the following:
- Mechatronics and Robotics
- Mining Engineering
- Energy Resources Engineering.
What courses you'll study
You're required to complete 192 units to complete your degree, across a mix of core courses, elective and work integrated learning. A list of indicative courses is provided below.
Complete 132 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
UG Common Core 1 | AUXX1000 | 6 |
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UG Common Core 2 | AUXX2000 | 6 |
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UG Common Core 3 | AUXX3000 | 6 |
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UG Common Core 4 | AUXX4000 | 6 |
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Engineering Mathematics | MATH1016 | 6 |
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Engineering Programming | COMP1006 | 6 |
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Engineering Design and Prototyping | ENGI1001 | 6 |
|
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Engineering Materials | ENGI1002 | 6 |
|
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Engineering Science | ENGI1003 | 6 |
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Engineering modelling 1 | ENGI1004 | 6 |
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Engineering modelling 2 | ENGI2001 | 6 |
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Final year research project B | BLDG4006 | 6 |
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Introduction to Engineering Mechanics | ENGM1000 | 6 |
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Mechanical Engineering Practice and Design Project | ENGM2002 | 6 |
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Solid Mechanics | ENGM2003 | 6 |
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Dynamics | ENGM2004 | 6 |
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Fluid Mechanics | ENGM2005 | 6 |
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Mechanical Systems and Design Project | ENGM3002 | 6 |
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Thermodynamics | ENGM3003 | 6 |
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Control Systems | ENGI3000 | 6 |
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Acoustics and Vibrations | ENGI3001 | 6 |
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Computer-Aided Engineering and Design Project | ENGM4015 | 6 |
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Engineering Work Experience – Part 1 | ENGI3900 | 6 |
|
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Engineering Work Experience – Part 2 | ENGI3901 | 6 |
Complete 0 to 24 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Engineering Acoustics | ENGM4005 | 6 |
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Advanced Vibrations | ENGM4006 | 6 |
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Advanced Composite Materials | ENGM4007 | 6 |
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Finite Element Analysis | ENGM4008 | 6 |
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Computational Fluid Dynamics | ENGM4009 | 6 |
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Advanced Control | ENGE4005 | 6 |
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Advanced Fluid Mechanics | ENGM4010 | 6 |
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Model-Based Systems Engineering | ENGM4011 | 6 |
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Heat Pumps, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning | ENGM4012 | 6 |
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Combustion and High Temperature Processes | ENGP4004 | 6 |
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Brewery Engineering | ENGP4003 | 6 |
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Biomechanical Engineering | ENGI4005 | 6 |
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Renewable Energy Systems | ENGE4007 | 6 |
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Sustainable Engineering Design and Net-Zero Transitions | ENGM4013 | 6 |
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Essentials of Humanitarian Engineering | ENGM4014 | 6 |
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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Instrumentation and Digital Systems | ENGM2006 | 6 |
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Aeronautical Engineering | ENGA2000 | 6 |
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Advanced Fluid Mechanics | ENGM4010 | 6 |
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Aerospace Vehicle Design | ENGA4002 | 6 |
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Advanced Control | ENGE4005 | 6 |
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Aerospace Propulsion | ENGA4001 | 6 |
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Advanced Mechanics and Materials | ENGM4004 | 6 |
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Astrodynamics | ENGA4000 | 6 |
Career outcomes
Mechanical engineers with specialised skills in aerospace engineering are in high demand by a range of industries. These engineers play an essential role in scaling up commercial aviation operations, strengthening defence capability, and facilitating long-term space exploration efforts.
You could design reuseable spacecraft, making space travel accessible and affordable for commercial passengers. Maybe you’ll create hypersonic vehicles capable of travelling at speeds greater than Mach 5, enhancing air defence capabilities. Perhaps you’ll play a critical role in launching satellite mega-constellations, providing global internet coverage.
Aerospace engineers have a specialised skillset that allows them to tackle complex challenges. They work in a range of areas including:
- Aerospace components and materials
- Commercial aviation
- Defence and military
- Government and regulatory bodies
- Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)
- Private space industry
- Research and development
- Satellite technology
- Space exploration
- Supersonic and hypersonic travel
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Urban air motility (UAM).
Industry trends
A global shortage of engineers, combined with record levels of government spend in infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and critical technologies, means that qualified mechanical engineers have never been more in demand (Engineers Australia, 2023).
Calls for more industries to start taking steps towards reducing their carbon footprint have only continued to gain momentum in recent years. Aerospace engineers will be critical in driving this transformation, through critical work in areas like development of sustainable biofuels, electric flight technology, and more energy-efficient integrations and designs for aircraft.
Major advancements in rocket design and propulsion, astronautics and astrophysics, robotics and medicine are helping to make long-term space habitation and exploration a not-so-distant reality. Aerospace engineers are leading work in this emerging area, developing off-world engineering capabilities and infrastructure to sustain a long-term human presence in deep space.
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
How to apply
FAQs
Explore answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
